Lesley knew what her two pressing priorities were at that time. First, she needed to kickstart her photography business. Second, she had to find a way to uncover the truth behind Leah's tragic drowning. She was fully aware that she couldn't devote all her time to delving into the mysteries surrounding Leah's case. However, she was determined to unravel the hidden truth behind it.
As it stood now, Lesley was overwhelmed with disappointment, and frustration climbed through her mind like a determined hiker on a steep mountain trail. She felt hopeless. Her initial investigation yielded no results, and now she found herself at a standstill. With Officer Grant and Denise both lacking any concrete answers, she realized that she would have to take matters into her own hands.
Thoughts of Leah crossed her mind, and she pondered when the next visit from her might occur. Lesley held onto the hope that, during the next encounter, Leah would share more crucial details about the councilman, shedding light on the circumstances of her drowning or potential murder.
Lesley planned to explain to Leah how important it was for her to obtain more pertinent information about the case. After all, it would aid her in uncovering the truth. She would also promise Leah that she was wholeheartedly committed to seeking justice on her behalf.
In the meantime, however, Lesley decided to seek solace in the Arcaden mountains, where the radiant sun cast its golden glow over the rugged terrain. Creating luminous picturesque views. With her camera in hand, she captured ten striking photos, each meticulously composed from a distinct angle, adding to the illustrious beauty of each.
***
After spending a few hours in the mountains, Lesley decided to drop in for a late afternoon yoga session at the studio. And to her surprise, she found Jackie there with her fourteen-year-old daughter.
"Hi, Jackie!" Lesley's eyes widened, indicating her shock. "I'm surprised to see you here."
"My daughter, Alexis, pushed me to come," Jackie said matter-of-factly. "She thinks yoga will help calm and relax me."
"Well, I definitely agree with her," Lesley smiled.
"Have I introduced you to her?" Jackie inquired.
Lesley shook her head. "No, I haven't met her."
Jackie strolled across the wooden yoga floor in her bare feet. She tapped the shoulder of a girl a few inches taller than herself. The girl's short brown hair waved as she turned her head. Jackie said something inaudible to the girl, and her eyes peered up at Lesley as they walked toward her.
"This is my daughter, Alexis!" Jackie said proudly, puffing out her chest. "She's a freshman at Wilcott Academy, one of the best private schools in all of New York!"
Alexis smiled at Lesley, "Have you met my new sister, Maria, too?"
"You have a new sister?" Lesley furrowed her brows, shaking her head, "No, I haven't met her." As far as she knew, Jackie and Charles only had one child, Alexis.
Jackie whispered into Alexis' ear, leaving Lesley standing there in an awkward silence.
Jackie formed an uncomfortable smile on her face. "Maria is a foreign exchange student. We volunteered this year. Alexis thinks of her as a new sister. However, she won't be with us for long - just about three months."
Lesley smiled. "Where is she from?" She inquired.
"Mexico," Jackie stated with a stoic face.
Lesley shifted her gaze down to Alexis. "Well, it was so nice to meet you, young lady!" She said with a smile.
Alexis didn't respond; instead, she stood there with a smile firmly glued to her face.
Jackie cleared her throat. "Alright, I'm going to take Alexis back to the youth yoga session in that room over there," she said, pointing to the back of the studio. "I'll see you later." With a friendly wink, she reached for Alexis's hand and led her back to class.
Just as Jackie walked away, Lesley heard footsteps approaching her, and then a tap on her shoulder from behind startled her. She quickly turned.
"Lesley!" Denise's eyes grew large. "I wasn't expecting to see you here today."
Lesley smiled. "I thought I'd stop by. There's been a lot on my mind recently." She stared down at the light wood floor beneath her feet. "I just can't stop thinking about the girl who drowned in our backyard," She admitted.
Denise's smile quickly faded from her face, and her glossy eyes echoed genuine concern. "I'm sorry, Lesley. Do you want to talk about it?"
Lesley shook her head. She knew she could confide in Denise because she's always been by Lesley's side. She was never judgmental and always offered a caring hand. Lesley regretted not coming to Denise sooner.
"I've been uncovering some information about Leah and come to find out she was dating a married city councilman prior to her death."
Denise's mouth dropped in complete shock. "Do you know his name?"
Lesley shook her head. "No, that's what I'm trying to find out." Nervously biting down on her lower lip, she asked, "Would your Gary happen to know?"
Denise took a deep breath and folded her arms over her chest. "I can ask him, but we really don't discuss anything council-related at home."
"It would be great if you could find any information regarding Leah."
Denise smiled and wrapped her arms around Lesley. "I'll do the best I can."
Lesley compassionately placed her hand on Denise's shoulder. "Thank you so much, Denise."
***
Later that evening, Lesley went into her designated darkroom, processing all the photos from her photography sessions. Switching off the room lights, she flickered on the safe lights and began preparing her chemicals. She immersed herself in her work for the rest of the night.
After a grueling day at work, Nick felt the weight of exhaustion settling in. His company had handed him a pivotal and time-consuming project, which required his presence out of town for the next two days. As he prepared for his business trip, a flicker of worry about Lesley's well-being danced into his thoughts, causing his anxiety to intensify. Fueled by this concern, he contacted Jackie and Denise, briefing them about his impending departure and gracefully asking for their help. When he inquired with them, they both graciously agreed.
"Hey, Jackie!" Nick's voice greeted her through the phone, "How's everything going?"
Jackie heaved a weary sigh, her voice tinged with the weight of troubles and worry, "Honestly, Nick, things aren't going well. Ever since Charlie retired, life has taken us on a downward spiral. Just last week, he was diagnosed with M.S. " A thread of sorrow laced her words, "It's going to be a tough road ahead for both Alexis and me. I recently took in a foreign exchange student because the school is paying me; otherwise, I wouldn't have. I'm so pressed for money right now. To top it off, the real estate market is slowing down in Arcaden. The possibility of selling our house is becoming more real."
Nick's mouth dropped. He was taken aback by the depth of personal sharing Jackie was engaging in over the phone. He was stuck and at a loss for words- he didn't know how to respond.
I wonder why she's not seeking support from a therapist.
Struggling to find the right words, Nick stumbled, a sense of helplessness washing over him, "I'm truly sorry to hear that. I genuinely hope things start looking up."
"Thank you, Nick," Jackie's voice brightened slightly, though a hint of sorrow still lingered.
"I'll be out of state for a few days. I have to travel down to Florida on a business trip. Can you check in on Lesley at least once while I'm gone?" Nick inquired.
"Absolutely," Jackie's voice beamed through the phone, "I can swing by on Thursday afternoon. Will she be home then?"
Nick's gaze drifted to the ceiling as he stood in their bedroom, contemplating the answer to Jackie's question, "Yes, she'll be here in the afternoon. She usually heads out during the sunset hours for her photography."
"It sounds like she's making progress," Jackie said, her voice encouraging optimism.
"She definitely is. It feels like I'm finally getting my old Lesley back," Nick replied with a sense of delight.
After speaking with Jackie, he called Denise next. She eagerly agreed to tend to Lesley on the upcoming Friday. In a playful tone, Denise even teased that she'd keep Lesley so occupied that she'd have no choice but to go to bed early. Nick understood it was all in good spirits, and he knew Denise would care for Lesley in the best way possible.
***
Before turning it in for the night, Lesley felt a sudden urge to check on her photos. She strolled into the darkroom, where the soft embrace of dim light greeted her like an old companion. Approaching the red tray where her latest photo was undergoing its transformation, a blend of wonder and disquiet swept over her. The image that unfolded captured the essence of the beautiful scene in the mountains with striking detail. Yet, her fascination swiftly gave way to a ripple of apprehension as her eyes settled on an unexpected figure within the photoâa hazy white figure nestled between the mountain ranges. It was the exact mysterious figure she had encountered on that haunting night at the police stationâit was Leah.
Tongs in hand, Lesley carefully positioned the photo beside the tray, allowing it to dry. As she leaned in closer, inspecting the image, she absorbed its intricacies. The girl depicted possessed cascades of deep, ebony hair and was adorned in a delicate, white lacy gown. Lesley knew beyond any doubt it was Leah. A shiver traced down Lesley's spine as the realization dawned upon her.
Leah had yet another message to convey.
However, the key to unraveling the message meant Lesley would have to venture back into the mountains. She would need Leah to divulge any significant information she was harboring so that Lesley could uncover the mystery surrounding her death once and for all.